Golf putting device



Nov. 27, 1962 u. COLES GOLF PUTTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 10, 1960 Z/VVF/V lowly Ur m6 6 0/19! United States Patent Ofiice Patented Nov. 27, 1962 3,065,971 GOLF PUTTING DEVICE Louis Uriah Coles, 9 Highfield Lodge, Highfield Lane, Southampton, England Filed Oct. 10, 1960, Ser. No. 61,602 Claims priority, application Great Britain Aug. 26, 1960 3 Claims. (Cl. 273-177) This invention relates to a device for playing or practising games of the golf or putting kind, being hereinafter referred to as a golf-putting device.

A device in accordance with this invention is simple and cheap to manufacture, and can be used to play golfputting games in a restricted space.

In accordance with the invention a golf-putting device comprises a resilient surface so located that in use a golf or like ball impinging thereon is returned along a path and with a velocity determined by the path and velocity of incidence. Y

The description that follows relates to the accompanying drawing, which shows, by way of example only, a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing, the device comprises an approximately C shaped moulding 7 of the thermoplastic material, having a semi-cylindrical recess 8. The end faces 9, 9' of the moulding are recessed, as at 10, 10' and undercut as at 11, 11. About the base of the moulding is positioned a first rubber ring 12 which lies against the recessed faces 10, 10 and within the undercut formed at each side at 11, 11'. About an intermediate point of the height of the moulding is positioned another similar rubber ring 13, which lies about the end faces 9, 9 and is accordingly slightly outwardly displaced with respect to the corresponding part of the ring 12. The height of the ring 13 above the plane of the underside of the moulding corresponds approximately to the radius of a golf ball. To ensure that each rubber ring stays in the correct position, the moulding is provided with shallow grooves 12, 13, into which the rings 12, 13 seat respectively. The lower ring 12 is at the level of the base of the moulding. The operation is as follows: When the device is to be used for putting practice and it is desired that the ball shall return each time to the player, the upper ring 13 is left in position so that when the ball strikes it the ring deforms resiliently and then thrusts the ball back to the player. (Due to the advanced position of ring 13 relative to lower ring 12, the ball does not reach or contact the lower ring.) The precise direction and velocity of return will depend upon the direction and velocity of incidence. Provided the ball comes into contact with the ring 13 centrally of the ring and in a direction normal to the length thereof, then it will return accurately along is incident path. If, on the other hand, the ball comes into contact with the ring at a point near to one end or if it comes into contact with the ring at an angle other than 90, then the ball will not return along its original path, but will be deflected to one side. Thus, the device may be used by a golfer to practice and improve his putting. When it is desired to putt into the hole the upper ring 13 is removed altogether.

When a ball is played to the device it strikes the lower ring 12 which acts as a ridge with a slight resilient deformation, causing the ball firstly to check its speed slightly, then to jump over and into the internal area of the moulding.

The success of the player will thus depend on the accurate directioning of his putt, and on its strength being neither too small or too great. Vertically positioned openings 14, 14 are preferably formed in said moulding for the reception of pins for securing said device to the surface upon which it rests.

What I claim is:

1. A golf-putting device comprising a molding having upper and lower surfaces, said lower surface being substantially fiat and being adapted to be placed on a supporting surface, a recess formed in the molding such that the molding is approximately C shaped when viewed from above, a first groove means in said molding and having portions disposed on opposite sides of said recess in a plane spaced from said lower surface of the device by a height equal to about the radius of a standard golf ball, a second groove means having portions disposed on Upposite sides of said recess in a plane parallel to the first groove means but spaced downwardly a substantial distance therefrom and disposed adjacent said lower surface, and an elastic band means substantially encircling the molding and being disposed in at least one of said groove means, whereby when the elastic band means is disposed within said first groove portions in stretched tensioned condition across the recess, a golf ball striking the elastic band means adjacent said recess resiliently deforms the elastic band means, and the ball is then thrust back away from the device by the elastic band means in accordance with the direction and velocity of incidence of the ball, and whereby when the elastic band means is disposed within said second groove portions, a ball striking the elastic band means adjacent said recess and at a proper velocity will jump over said elastic band means and into the recess to be retained within the recess.

2. A golf putting device as defined in claim 1, wherein the molding is provided with spaced apertures formed vertically therethrough so that the device can be pinned to a supporting surface upon which it rests to prevent it from being moved by the impact of a golf ball.

3. A golf putting device as defined in claim 1, wherein said second groove means is inset inwardly of said first groove means, whereby an elastic band means disposed within the first groove means is displaced outwardly with respect to the corresponding part of an elastic band means disposed within said second groove means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Oct. 14, 1931 

